Muintir's first-half goals the difference

MUINTIR BHÁIRE 2-10

ILEN ROVERS  0-15

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

MUINTIR Bháire ended Ilen Rovers’ interest in this year’s Rowa/Rowex Pharma Carbery JAFC following a dramatic one-point win in Ballydehob last Saturday evening.

Two first-half goals proved critical to the Durrus club’s second-round victory beginning with Stephen O’Driscoll finishing off a rebound after Eoghan O’Dwyer’s initial point attempt came back off a post. 

Another O’Dwyer effort fell to James O’Donovan seven minutes later and the half forward made no mistake to hand Muintir Bháire a 2-7 to 0-7 interval lead.

Credit to Ilen Rovers who tore into their opponents during an exciting second period and utilised full forward Aaron O’Sullivan’s scoring ability – he finished with nine points – to reduce the deficit to a single point. 

In a game played out amid humid conditions, two water breaks and eight minutes of injury time, Ilen’s Tim O’Regan was presented with an opportunity to level the score shortly before the end. The Rovers forward’s attempt drifted inches wide and a Muintir Bháire side that managed three points in the second half held on for the narrowest of victories.

‘We always knew this was going to be a tough game but these lads just have to believe in themselves a bit more because they are a very good team,’ commented Muintir Bháire manager James O’Donovan.

‘We had to dig deep because things went against us for one reason or another but at the end of the day we worked bloody hard. These are a wonderful bunch of lads and a great club so they deserve everything they get.’

A cracking opening period saw the Durrus club lead 0-5 to 0-2 after ten minutes. Ilen were struggling to contain their opponents’ lively attack – James O’Donovan, Eoghan O’Dwyer and Stephen O’Driscoll in terrific form – but unfortunate not to raise a green flag by forcing Damien O’Sullivan into a fine stop and rattling the crossbar after 12 minutes.

By the 20th minute, Muintir Bháire’s lead was reduced down to two points despite Ilen losing the services of midfielder Emmet Hourihane to a black card. Then, two goals in a seven-minute spell handed the winners the initiative heading into the second half.

Patrick McCarthy and Stephen O’Driscoll efforts extended Muintir Bháire’s advantage to 2-9 to 0-8 shortly after the restart but that was Ilen Rovers’ cue to take a hard-hitting game by the scruff of the neck.

Joseph Hickey and Aaron O’Sullivan scores helped Rovers move to within three points of Muintir on the stroke of full time. Eight minutes of injury time saw Ilen’s Tim O’Regan land a free and Aaron O’Sullivan notch his ninth point of the evening but Muintir Bháire’s defence held out for a memorable win.

Scorers 

Muintir Bháire: Eoghan O’Dwyer 0-4 (1f), James O’Donovan, Stephen O’Driscoll 1-1 each, Patrick McCarthy 0-2, David O’Mahony, Jamie Coughlan Lynch 0-1 each. 

Ilen Rovers: Aaron O’Sullivan 0-9 (2f), Joseph Hickey 0-3 (1f), Tim O’Regan 0-2 (1f), Emmet Hourihane 0-1. 

Muintir Bháire: Damien O’Sullivan; Mike Allen, Jason O’Sullivan, Keith Tobin; Darren McNulty, Jack Ward, Michael O’Driscoll; Fionn Doonan, David O’Mahony (captain); Jamie Coughlan Lynch, Darragh Whooley, James O’Donovan; Stephen O’Driscoll, Patrick McCarthy, Eoghan O’Dwyer.

Subs: Timmy O’Sullivan for J O’Sullivan (20), Ian Daly for T O’Sullivan (30, inj), Gearoid McCarthy for P McCarthy (41, inj) and Brian O’Regan for J Coughlan Lynch (49).

Ilen Rovers: Ronan Collins; Brendan Duggan, Michael Hellen (captain), Keith Hickey; Eoin O’Neill, Paddy O’Driscoll, Donnacha Whooley; Emmet Hourihane, Aidan Coughlan; Daniel O’Driscoll, Joseph Hickey, Paddy Minihane; Liam Dearle, Aaron O’Sullivan, Tim O’Regan.

Subs: Dave Ryan for E Hourihane (21, black card), B Leonard for P O’Driscoll (27, inj), Sean Casey for L Dearle (43), David Whooley for A Coughlan (44) and Adam Hayes for D Whooley (55).

Referee: John Forbes (Dohenys).